Planting Churches

OUTCOME #4

Graduation & Traction in Seoul

A2.business has graduated its second cohort in South Korea, and the traction that is gaining in the marketplace there for missional leaders is exciting! The cohort calls itself “Barnabas” because they develop lifelong relationships in which they encourage each other to be Christ-like leaders who multiply disciples in the marketplace. For the final session of “Barnabas 2” Phil Foxwell, ...

Asian Access’ first active missionary to pass into eternity

As you may have heard, Mike Wilson has joined Jesus in heaven, ending a very difficult journey of declining capacity over many months. While we miss Mike this side of eternity, we are glad that he is no longer suffering from his condition and has entered a home where there are no more tears, no more troubles. I want to thank you for praying for Mike, Mary Jo, and their children Stacia and Brandon these many months. We are glad that Mike is walking with Jesus in perfect health today. At the same time, we know that Mary Jo, Stacia and Brandon still feel the pain of loss this side of eternity. Do keep praying for them...

Read to have fellowship with great minds

John Wesley knew the importance of reading good books when he exhorted the younger ministers of the Wesleyan Society to “either read or get out of the ministry.” Obviously, Wesley had a passion for reading in the midst of a very busy life. Most of his reading was done on horseback. Often he rode 80 kilometres (50 miles) and sometimes 145 kilometres (90 miles) in a day. His habit was to ride with a volume of science or history or medicine propped on his saddle. In the process, he consumed thousands of books. Great leaders have almost always been great readers. The apostle Paul chained like a common criminal in a cold Roman dungeon, with his work done and his life nearly at an end, could still write to Timothy...

The critical battle between Culture and Values

I recall participating in a seminar set aside by a church where a group of its leaders came together to identify the values of the church. The group, seated around tables, were led through a day where the end product of identifying its key values was achieved. Much has changed in that church since that day and I daresay that there would not be many who would now remember the list of values that were agreed upon that day. Further, It would seem that there was little attempt to communicate those values to the church at large, as life in the church has steadily deteriorated with the passing of time. On reflection, I have jotted down the following insights from that experience...

It seems like every day, I’m hearing more reports about persecution happening in the world. I recently left a country that is under significant duress. The week we were there, a crackdown occurred in one of their most famous towns – a town known for having one of their national symbols. The pastors, alumni of Asian Access, had gathered together for a city-wide gathering of churches, only to be harassed by their local community. It seems that everyone is after them: government officials, religious authorities and even the neighbors. It’s sad to see and many lives are often at stake. This type of situation is on the rise in many of the countries we work in. We see this type of harassment happening in more than half the countries we work in and so we could use your prayers. More importantly, they need your prayers!

“While we were praying for [the new country] last night, we felt that God was telling us to bless them.” That’s what Asian Access participants in a newly-launched country said to me. (For security purposes, we cannot identify this country by name.) But before you read the rest of this encouraging story, I want to ask you to consider an opportunity to partner with Asian Access to equip and empower more pastors and marketplace leaders across Asia. And whatever you give, up to a total of $250,000 will be matched dollar for dollar. Leveraging investment is so important. Most of the leaders who participate in Asian Access come from modest financial means. Their home countries often struggle with economic hardship and poverty. In addition, pastors are usually paid less than the average workers in their countries. Many pastors must work as farmers, taxi drivers, or laborers to make enough to support their families, while they minister virtually for free. This is the case in the newly-launching country, where an Asian Access orientation session was held this past July. While some of the pastors from metro areas are in better financial situations, many of the leaders live on very little. And by Western standards, all of these leaders, including...

Voice of the Martyrs Radio recently interviewed Joe Handley on the topic of preparing Christian leaders for persecution. Listen as Joe shares the process used to train leaders, and the special challenges of raising up leaders prepared to endure and thrive in spite of persecution and hostility. Joe will also talk about how the principles taught translate across cultural boundaries from country to country, equipping leaders to boldly follow Christ and serve His people. Finally, Joe will equip us to pray for these leaders, as well as the ministry of Asian Access...